Morning journal and courier., 1887-10-18
IN MEMORY OF sHAkEspEARE.


| The Childs Memorial Fountain Dedi-
Gated With Imposing Ceremonies.
LONDON, Oct. 1.-THE Shakespeare me-
mortal fountain presented by Mr.. G. W.
Childs of Philadelphia to the town of STRAIT
ford upon-Avon was dedicated with impos-
ing ceremonies to-day The early trains
brought large numbers of distinguished per
sons to attend the dedication. The weather
was fine. There was an immense crowd in
attendance and much enthusiasm was mani
tested. DR.. Macau1ey represented Mr. Childs
at the proceedings. Just before noon the
invited guests formed in line and marched to
the Town hall and thence to the site of the
fountain. Mr.. Henry Irving made the dedi-
cation speech. At one point he read the
poem by Mr.. Holmes with fine effect, prefac-
ing it with the remark that the name of the
poet was beloved where the English language
was spoken. After the reading Mr.. Irving
continued with his speech. He paid kindly
tribute to Mr.. Childs and then said: ftI re-
joice in the happy inspiration which prompt
ed the gift which 80 worthily represents the
common homage of two great peoples to the
most famous man of their common race. We
are honored by the presence of distinguish
ed American, the political representative of
his country in England. But it would do
far less than justice to Mr.. Phelps to affirm
that he is with us in formal and diplomatic
sense. On this spot of all others Americans
cease to be aliens. For here they
claim our kinship with the great master
of English speech. How responsive is
American life and literature to the influence
which has done more than the work of any
other man to mould the thought and charac-
ter of generations The simplest records of
Stratford show that this is the Mecca of
American pilgrims and that the place which
gave birth to Shakespeare is regarded as the
fountain of the mightiest and most enduring
inspiration of our mother tongue. It is not
difficult to believe that amongst the visitors
who write those imposing letters U. S. A. in
the visitors book in the historic house hard
by there are some whose colloquial speech
still preserves phrases which have come down
from Shakespeare's time. Some idioms
which are supposed to be of American inven-
ton can be traced back to Shakespeare and
We can imagine that in the audience at the
Old Globe Theater there were ignorant and
unlettered men who treasured up something
of Shakespeare's imagery and vivid por-
traiture and carried with them over
the ocean the thoughts, words, solemn
risen and bright silver dreams which helped
to nurture their transplanted stalk. Cheers
For it is above all things as poet of the peo-
pie that Shakespeare is supreme. He wrote
in days when literature made no appeal to
the multitude. Books were for limited
class, but the theater was open to ALL How
many Englishmen to whom reading was
labor, or an impossibility, must have drawn
from the stage which Shakespeare enriched
some of the most priceless jewels of the hu- |
man mind! One of the Inscriptions on the |
fountain is the most expressive tribute to
which the peoples heart can |
pay: Ten Thousand honors and blessings on /
The bard who has gilded the dull realities of |
life with innocent illusions These simple |
words speak gratitude far more eloquent |
md enduring than whole libraries of |
criticism 1t is not only because |
is the delight of scholars |
II because he has infinite charms for /
he most refined taste that he wields tho IN.
broken staff of Prospero over the imagination |
If mankind. It is because his spell is woven !
rom truth, simplicity and nature herself |
cries of hear! hearty There is the heart |
If the mystery. Without effort the simplest
mind passes into the realms of Shakespeare's
ancy. The learned and the simple, the gen
le and humble, all may drink from the in
xhaustible wisdom of this supreme sage |
and so it seems to me that no happier en-
lem of Shakespeare's genius in his native |
lace could have been chosen than this |
memorial fountain
Mr.. Irving concluded his address by pre-
enting the memorial in the name of the |
onor to the town. The Mayor read letter
rom Mr.. James Russell Lowell eulogizing |
fr. Childs for his gift, which deed recalled
he fact of the kindred blood of the two great
atoms who are joint heirs to the work of |
genius. ''Hail Columbia" was |
ung, and cheers were given for the Queen
nd President Cleveland. A luncheon at |
he Town hall followed the ceremonies The |
ay was observed as a holiday and the whole
own was en- fete. The procession from the
own hall to the fountain was led by the
authorities.